Portland police searching for missing fisherman

PORTLAND, Maine — Portland police are searching for a missing fisherman who last was seen at 4:30 a.m. Monday on Custom House Wharf.

George Manning, 66, last was seen walking down Custom House Wharf toward the fishing vessel Northstar, which was docked at the end of the wharf, city spokeswoman Nicole Clegg said in a news release late Monday afternoon.

Police are concerned because Manning, who lives on the boat, left his cellphone and wallet on board and has not been in contact with fellow crew members.

Police divers from Portland and South Portland have begun searching the harbor in the area of the fishing vessel because of the possibility that Manning might be in the water. Portland police stopped the search Monday night but divers are expected to be back in the water Tuesday morning, a police spokesman said Tuesday morning.

Manning is described as a white male, about 6 feet tall and weighing 175 pounds. He is balding with a shaved head and mustache. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing jeans, a T-shirt and a blue-and-green Red Sox baseball cap with a shamrock logo.

Anyone who has information regarding Manning’s whereabouts or recent activities is asked to call Portland police at 874-8575.